Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine  2008 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008
2008
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VS
Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008
2008
View full specs →

Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 against a flat Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 at 15,0 ft. At 113 lbs and 42 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 has a 80-hp advantage over the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008's 35-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
Model175DC Fishing Machine
ModelL1648 Jon Boat
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam70 in. (1.77 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs. (512 kg)
Weight - Detail420 lbs. (190 kg)
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - kg190.51
Weight - lbs.113
Weight - lbs.42
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Height - Detail40 in. (1 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches4
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Height [transom]15 in. or 20 in. (.38 m or .5 m)
Length - Meters5.25
Length - Meters4.82
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet15
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.25 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches19
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Engine max35 hp (26 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity973 lbs. (441 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people4 / 555 lbs. (252 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008?
The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008?
For trailering, the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 has the edge at 42 lbs dry weight versus 113 lbs for the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 tops out at 35 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 measures 92" wide, compared to 7" for the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 and Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe 175DC Fishing Machine 2008 and the Lowe L1648 Jon Boat 2008 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.